Dellacqua back with a bang in Melbourne

It was Casey Dellacqua’s first victory in a grand slam tournament since early 2010 and came after she had spent much of the past three years recovering from shoulder and foot surgery.
Photo: Paul Rovere

Casey Dellacqua can't remember when she last played someone with the pedigree of world No.3 Victoria Azarenka.

And after spending so much time in recent years on the sidelines, the popular Australian can't wait to give it her best shot.

Dellacqua set up the dream second-round clash with Azarenka by downing Serb Bojana Jovanovski 6-3 6-2 in the opening round of the Australian Open on Monday.

It was her first victory in a grand slam tournament since early 2010 and came after she had spent much of the past three years recovering from shoulder and foot surgery.

The enforced break gave Dellacqua time to engage in other interests such as TV commentary and beauty therapy.

"But I was still watching a lot of tennis. I watched everything I possibly could," she said.

"I was in touch with everything that was going on but always with the frame of mind that I would get back.

"But I would get back when I was ready, when I felt like the time was right."